Gujarat police arrest eight for suspected misuse of weapon licenses from Nagaland, Manipur

In a development that could have wider ramifications for Nagaland and Manipur, the Morbi Special Operations Group (SOG) has arrested eight individuals for allegedly obtaining weapon licenses from the two northeastern states under suspicious circumstances.

According to Gujarat Samachar, the SOG seized nine firearms—revolvers and pistols—and 251 cartridges during the operation, with the total value of the seized items estimated to be over Rs 9 lakh.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the accused acquired All India Permits for weapons through agents operating in Manipur and Nagaland. “The individuals obtained licenses from these states despite being unlikely to qualify for licenses in Gujarat due to previous criminal records or other ineligibilities,” reports stated.

“A total of 25 illegal weapons were seized by Surendranagar district police. Investigation has revealed that the licenses for these weapons were suspiciously obtained from the states of Manipur and Nagaland,” Gujarat Police posted on its X platform in Gujarati.

The accused were identified as Rohit Nanji Fagliya, Ismail Sajan Kumbhar, Mukesh Bhanu Dangar, Mahesh Parbat Miyatra, Prakash Chunilal Unaliya, Praveensinh Chatubha Zala, Mavjibhai Khengarbhai Boricha, and Shiraj alias Dukhi Amirali Popatiya.

The SOG team, already investigating the illegal movement of arms from other states into Morbi and neighboring areas, discovered that agents helped the accused bypass standard legal procedures. The team has since launched a deeper probe into the networks facilitating these transfers from Nagaland and Manipur.

The seizure includes nine weapons valued at Rs 8,74,760 and 251 cartridges worth Rs 57,792. Legal proceedings are currently underway.

MT